The history of the Stark (Martin) Family

Foreword

Ever since his visit many years ago to Somersetshire, England, where

his mother was born, her maiden name having been Elizabeth Stark, the

writer has had a desire to gather all available historical data

concerning the Stark family. The assembling of these facts has been a

most interesting task, for the Starks have been a truly remarkable

family of whom the present generation can be justly proud.

There is no record of any of our ancestors' having become famous or

extremely wealthy, but as far as could be learned, there has not been

one black sheep in the entire flock. All the Starks seem to have been

people of real integrity, respected citizens of the communities in which

they lived, and as sincere followers of our Lord and Savior, they have

handed down to succeeding generations a priceless heritage.

In closing these few words by way of introduction, the writer would

like to acknowledge his indebtedness to all his relatives in this

country and in England for their cooperation in contributing whatever

material they had pertaining to the history of the Starks. The names of

these contributors are too numerous to mention.

Frank Gardner Smith

Detroit, Michigan 1964

A HISTORY

OF THE

STARK FAMILY

FRANK GARDNER SMITH

Stark ancestry

The Stark ancestral tree has its roots in the southwestern part of

England. The earliest Stark ancestor of whom we have any record was

Benjamin Stark, a farmer, who was born in Devonshire in 1780, and was

married in about 1806 to Dinah Lentell, born in 1788. Their marriage

took place in Devonshire where 5 children were born to them: Hannah,

Betsy, James, Benjamin and Dinah.

In 1838 the family moved from Devonshire to Burrow Hill Farm near

Kingsbury in Somersetshire. Two years later, in 1840, Benjamin Stark,

Sr. passed away at 60 years of age. His wife, Dinah, remained on the

Benjamin's son, James, was our Grandfather Stark. The Hebditches

On our grandmother's side, the records enable us to trace the line of

ancestors much farther back than on the side of our grandfather.

Grandmother Stark's mother was a Hebditch. The first Hebditch of whom

there is any record, was a Matthew Hebditch who was born about 1635, and

lived at Watergore, Somersetshire, probably having come originally from

Devonshire. We do not know whom he married, but we are told that he had

3 children. He was a great, great, great, great grandfather of our

Grandmother Stark. His son and heir, William, who was married to a Miss

Masters and had 2 children, was our grandmother's great, great, great

grandfather. This William's son and heir, also named William, was

married to a Miss Vile and had 6 children. He was our grandmother's

great, great grandfather. His son and heir, Robert, who was married to

Hannah Weare of South Harp and had 7 children, was our grandmother's

great grandfather. Robert's son and heir, William Robert, grandmother

Stark's grandfather (born Dec. 9,1750-died Dec. 13,1820), was a

blacksmith at Watergore who married Hannah Gifford (1750-1825) of Ryden

Farm, Somersetshire, on Feb. 21,1774, and later lived at Stratton near

South Petherton. To them were born 6 children: William, a blacksmith and

a bachelor, born Oct.20, 1777 and died Jan. 19, 1841; John who married a

Miss Davey and had 6 children; Simeon, a linen and sail cloth

manufacturer, who married Hannah Horsey and had 9 children; Mary who

married John Wells, a minister, axid~liad 2 -children; Anna who married

J. Humphrey, a~farmer; -a~d Benjamin, a farmer, (born May 8, 1791 and

died Nov.17, 1861, successor to his brother William as heir) who, on

Jan. 2,1827, married Sarah Harding of Palmer St., South Petherton (born

Nov. 1,1790) and had 4 children.

The Wells family

On Nov. 12,1818 Mary Hebditch, born Sept.24, 1785 and the fourth child

of William Robert Hebditch, married the Rev. John Wells who was born in

1781, and in 1814 became the pastor of the Congregational Church at

Middle Lambrook near South Petherton in Somersetshire. Two children

were born to the Wells at Middle Lambrook: Mary Hebditch Wells, our

grandmother, born May 17, 1821 and Anna Wells, born Feb. 2, 1823, but

died on Nov.20 of the same year.

Mary Wells

Mary Wells received her first schooling under the tutelage of her

father who, in addition to his work as minister of the church at Middle

Lambrook, conducted a boarding school for boys in the parsonage next to

the church. Later, Mary Wells was sent to Mrs. Baker's Boarding School

at South Petherton which she attended each week from Monday through

Friday, returning home every week-end.

In 1830 Mary's father, Pastor Wells, accepted a call to the

Congregational Church at Windham. He gave up his school, rented the

manse which he had built, and moved his family to Windham which is near

Chard in the southern part of Somersetshire.

During the years 1834 and 1835, Mary Wells went to Harridge House

Establishment in Shepton Mallet, Somersetshire, at which a select school

for young ladies was conducted. The teachers and students attended

services at a near-by Methodish church. At one of these services a

sermon by the pastor, the Rev. Nye, resulted in the conversion of

several students. Mary Wells always felt that these were some of the

happiest days of her life. After leaving school, and for about two

years, Mary worked as a clerk in a store owned by her cousin, William

Hebditch.

Pastor Wells goes to his reward

Because of failing health Pastor Wells gave up his charge at Windham,

and the family returned to Middle Lambrook. But the change and rest

brought no improvement in his health; in fact, his condition grew

steadily worse and, on July 11, 1840, he passed away peacefully at the

age of 59 years. The funeral service was held in the church at Middle

Lambrook which he had formerly served. The funeral sermon was delivered

by the Rev. Edward Paltridge of South Petherton. The text chosen was:

"he being dead, yet speaketh." A stone slab, laid in the floor of one of

the church aisles and bearing Pastor Wells' name, marks the spot where

his remains are interred.

Mary Wells marries James Stark

Soon after her father's death, Mary Wells made the acquaintance of

James Stark, born Dec.15, 1814, one of the sons of Benjamin Stark of the

Burrow Hill Farm. With the approval of Mary's mother the young couple

became engaged, and on the 30th of April 1841 they were united in

marriage at the Kingsbury Anglican Church which James Stark attended.

The Rev.

J. B. Lewis performed the ceremony. Dinah Stark, a sister of the groom,

was bridesmaid, and Richard Humphrey, another relative, was best man.

These two attendants went with the bride and groom on their wedding trip

during which the towns of Bridgwater, Bristol and Bath were visited. The

actual marriage record signed by bride, groom, minister and attendants

can still be seen at the Kingsbury church.

The farms at Lambrook and Broughton

As his father was no longer living, James Stark continued for a time to

manage his mother's Burrow Hill farm. But later we find him renting a

farm at East Lambrook, and it was in the Middle Lambrook chapel manse,

on Jan. 31,1842, that the Stark's first child, Mary Anna, was born, and

also their second child, Evaline Lentell, on Feb. 27,1843. The Starks

then decided to move from Lambrook to a farm at Broughton where they

remained two years.

The farm at Shepton-Beauchamp

In the spring of 1845 the Starks rented a farm at Shepton-Beauchamp,

Somersetshire, where three more children were born: Benjamin John on

July 22,1845; Elizabeth, January 30,1847; and William Hebditch, July 30,

1848. The three years spent on the Shepton-Beauchamp farm proved very

unprofitable. The rent was high, the crops failed, and toward the end

not enough was made to pay the rent. In the spring of 1849, when the

Starks could not find a suitable farm or other place to live, James

Stark's mother Dinah Lentell Stark, invited them to share her house on

the Burrow Hil~ farm until a permanent place could be found. A sixth

child, James, was born on this farm on November 10,1849.

The Starks make a momentous decision

Living in his mother's home provided only a temporary solution to the

problems now besetting James Stark and his family. Not knowing what to

do next, they became greatly discouraged. As Grandmother Stark once

remarked, "We were always taking out of the meal tub and putting nothing

in." Having come to the conclusion that there was not much to look

forward to in England, they at first decided to go to Australia.

However, Grandfather Stark's mother begged them not to go; perhaps

because of the great distance involved. Nevertheless our grandparents

felt they had to do something to better their lot; so they made up their

minds to go to America. They had a sale of all their possessions and

managed to get together enough money to pay for their passage to the

United States. Grandmother Stark's Aunt Humphrey wanted Grandmother

Stark's mother, Mrs. John Wells, to stay in England and live with her,

but Mrs. Wells decided she would prefer to go with her daughter Mary's

family to the States.

The departure for America

And so, in the early part of May 1850, although their son, James, was

only six months old at the time and Grandfather Stark's mother was sick

in bed, they bade all their loved ones and neighbors good-bye, and

lourneyed to Bristol from where they sailed on the vessel Java bound for

America. In addition to the parents and Mrs. Wells, there were the

following children heading for the new world: Mary Anna, 8 years of age;

Evaline Lentell, 7; Benjamin John, 5; Elizabeth, 3; William Hebditch, 2;

and James, 6 months. We might say, parenthetically, it was from the port

of Bristol that John Cabot sailed in 1497 upon the voyage which resulted

in the discovery of the mainland of North America.

The boat on which the Stark family embarked being a sailing vess~, the

voyage was long, wearisome, and at times quite stormy. But after six

very trying weeks, the Java sailed into New York harbor. Whether or not

the Starks were obliged to pass immigrant inspection would be

interesting to know. Castle Garden did not become a landing place and

temporary headquarters for immigrants until 1855, and Ellis Island has

been used as an immigrant station only since 1892. Incidentally, a very

large, old- fashioned chest of drawers, now in possession of a Stark

descendant, is said to have been brought over on this trip from England

by our grandparents.

The Starks sail up the Hudson

How many days the Starks stayed in New York has not been recorded, but

we are told that on the Monday following their arrival in America, they

took a night boat up the Hudson River. It is to be regretted that they

did not make this trip in daylight as they would have been inspired by

the beautiful scenery along America's most historic river. There is a

tradition

that the family intended to get off the boat at Albany, but it seems

that some of the children were asleep when the capital city was reached

at six o'clock in the morning, so it was decided to go on to Troy, N.Y.

After about a week in this city, the Starks hired a man to build their

first home in America. It was located in Lansingburg, now called North

Troy.

Grandfather Stark searches for work

After getting fairly settled, the next big problem was where to find

work. Grandfather Stark had never worked for anyone except his father

and himself. His experience was largely limited to farming. His first

efforts to find a job met with disappointment. Day after day he would

set out in search of employment only to return each night to report no

success. He became terribly discouraged but did not give up trying. One

morning as he left his home he said: "Don't worry if I do not come home

tonight," evidently intending to keep going on no matter how far he got

away from home. While walking along a road in the country Grandfather

Stark noticed a shed in a field. He walked over to the shed, went in and

kneeled down and asked his Heavenly Father to guide him in his search

for work, at the same time resolving to dedicate his life to God.

How his prayer was answered

After Grandfather Stark got back on the road a man in a wagon soon

overtook him. The man, whose name was Moses Molland, stopped his horse

and offered Grandfather Stark a ride. The latter lost no time in telling

Mr. Molland that he was looking for work. Whereupon Mr. Molland advised

him to apply at a community of Shakers who, he had heard, wanted help.

Grandfather Stark called at the Shakers and was given ~ job. His prayer

was answered! The following Saturday night he went back home but had to

leave Sunday afternoon as it was a long way to where the Shakers were

located.

Family's first loss in America

About a month after Grandfather Stark found work, Grandmother Stark's

mother, Mrs. Mary Wells, became seriously ill. At the same time,

William, one of the children, was also quite ill and the family feared

they might lose him. However he recovered, but Mrs. Wells did not

survive her illness. She had been in America only seven weeks when she

passed away on August 19,1850, at the age of 65. Her body lies in

Oakwood Cemetery at North Troy (Lansingburg), N.Y.

Starks move to Niskayuna

At first, because of the great distance that had to be covered on foot,

Grandfather Stark went back to his home in Lansingburg every other

week-end. However as winter approached, the Shakers bought a large house

for the Starks to live in. It was located in the township of Niskayuna

near the Mohawk River. An interesting fact about this house is that the

bricks with which it was constructed were imported from Holland.

The Starks moved into their new home on Nov. 1,1850. They attended the

Dutch Reformed Church at Niskayuna, the pastor of which at the time was

the Rev. Goyne Talmage, brother of the noted Presbyterian preacher, T.

De Witt Talmage. In 1851 the six Stark children were baptized in this

church and both Grandfather and Grandmother Stark were received into the

church membership.

Because of the Stark family's having lived there, their descendants in

the East have always been interested in Niskayuna. The name appears on

old maps as "Nistigoone" which is a corruption of an earlier Indian name

signifying "extensive corn flats." Many Starks have paid visits to the

old but solidly built brick church at Niskayuna which is located on the

Schenectady-Troy Highway about 5 miles east of Schenectady. The church

edifice was erected in 1852. Alongside of the church is another

well-constructed building in which Sunday School classes, social

activities and the business affairs of the church are conducted. On the

low hills back of the church there is a small but well-kept cemetery in

which the remains of four members of the Stark family are buried.

Unfortunately no headstones or other markers remain today to indicate

the location of the Stark graves.

It was at Niskayuna on Nov. 5, 1852 that a seventh child was born and

named John W&ls. That same winter Grandfather Stark was very ill, and

for a time no hope was held for his life, but he eventually recovered.

However, the Stark's baby boy John Wells, pased on the following May

(1853). His remains lie in the Reformed Church cemetery. On April 15.

1854 a daughter, Harriet Martha, was born, and on Oct.17, 1857 another

boy was born; and he became the second Stark child to be called John

Wells.

Family moves to farm on Osborne Road

Tn 1860 the Starks moved from Niskayuna to a farm on the Osborne Road.

It was located just half-way between the Shaker and Loudonville Roads,

and not far from Ireland's Corners which was what the intersection of

the Osborne and Shaker Roads was called. The farm was owned by the

Shakers, but the Starks hired the help and had to board some of the men

employed. Sweet corn, pop corn, roots, herbs, etc. were raised for the

Shakers. On this farm were born three more children: Arthur Weber Jan.

31,1861, Frank Humphrey May 16,1862, and Charles Newton Nov. 5,1863. The

Starks attended a little church on the Shaker Road where Grandfather

Stark taught a Sunday School class which included three of his own

children, Elizabeth, Evaline and William, and also the writer's future

father John H. Smith and his sister Maggie. At one time Grandfather

Stark was also superintendent of the Sunday School. It was while the

Starks were living on the Osborne Road that the death of President

Lincoln occurred. When his body lay in state in the Capital building at

Albany, Grandfather Stark took his daughter Harriet, then about 11 years

old, and possibly some of his other children, to view the remains of the

martyred President.

Starks suffer two more losses

In the early part of 1865, James, who was then 15 years of age, on

returning from church and Sunday School complained of a sore throat, and

the next day he could scarely swallow. Dr. Knox, the family physician,

diagnosed the case as scarlet fever, and when a Dr. Wade was called he

expressed the belief that there was little hope for the patient to

recover. James passed away on Feb. 5,1865. His body is interred in the

Niskayuna cemetery. Soon after, Elizabeth, Harriet, John and Arthur had

a mild form of scarlet fever, but all got well. Then, sad to relate, in

the following December (1865), little Charles, only two years old, died

after a brief illness, and his remains were buried in the cemetery at

Niskayuna.

The marriages of the Starks' eldest daughter and eldest son

and the birth of another child

On April 2,1866 the Starks' eldest daughter, Mary Anna, married Mr.

Hugh Davison of Albany, N.Y., a veteran of the Civil War. Another

important event occurred on July 6 of this same year - the birth of

another

boy to the Starks who was named Charles Samuel. It was also in 1866 that

Miss Charlotte Kirby was visiting at the home of a Mr. Turner, a friend

of the Starks. The eldest of the Stark sons, Benjamin John, was

attracted to her and eventually was introduced to her family in Troy. On

April 9, 1868, Ben Stark and Charlotte Kirby were married in a

Presbyterian church in Troy, and lived on another Shaker farm located on

the Shaker Road not far from the home of Ben's parents on the Osborne

Road.

Another death and another birth in the family

And now occurred a very sad event in the life of the Starks - the death

of their second oldest daughter, Evaline, on Feb. 19,1869, at the age of

26. For many months she had been afflicted with tuberculosis, but had

borne her illness with Christian fortitude. The funeral service was held

in the Newtonville M.E. Church and her remains were laid away in the

cemetery at Niskayuna. Evaline is said to have had a beautiful character

and was dearly loved by all who knew her.

On April 19,1869 occurred the birth of the last child to be born to our

grandparents, and he was named James Lentell. Some few weeks before

James' birth, Ben Stark and his wife caught the smallpox from their

hired man. Mr. J. B. Kirby and Grandmother Stark were with them during

part of their illness. Grandmother Stark also had the disease in a mild

form. On July 22,1869 a baby girl was born to the Ben Starks and named

Charlotte Mary, and on Jan. 5, 1871 a son, James Peter, was born to

them. They lived on their Shaker farm until some time in 1871 when they

moved to Adrian Michigan, and later to Toledo, Ohio.

The Starks move to Hudson

In the spring of 1870 the Stark family moved to Hudson, N.Y., which is

situated on the east bank of the Hudson River, 28 miles south of Albany.

The Starks occupied a farm belonging to a man named Stebbins. In 1871

they worked a farm owned by a Dr. Getty. Some time during this year

their son, William, left home and went to work in Albany. In 1872

Grandfather Stark and son, John, worked for a Mr. Buridge, the family at

the time moving to a home on the so-called "Mountain." The next year

they moved into Hudson where they lived four years.

Elizabeth Stark marries

It was shortly after the Starks moved to Hudson that their daughter

Elizabeth was married on June 10,1870 to John Henry Smith whose family

lived on a farm on the Osborne Road about a mile from where the Starks

had lived. The couple had first met at the little Shaker Road church.

The minister who officiated at their wedding was the pastor of the

Newtonville M. E. Church, located not far from Loudonville.

Whole family eventually moves to Toledo

In 1876 Ben Stark with his wife and two children attended the

Philadelphia Exposition and then visited Ben's parents at Hudson. When

the Ben Starks returned to Toledo they took Arthur Stark with them. In

the following November another son, John, went to live in Toledo. In the

spring of 1877 our grandparents with the rest of their children who were

not .marY~~ m{)ved from Hudson to Toledo. Before leaving for the West,

they spent a week visiting the fa~es o~~~their i;~b

T£fa~ied~~daugh.+~ers - Hugh Davison in Albany and Mrs. John H. Smith in

West Albany. On their

arrival in Toledo our grandparents found that their sons Ben, John and

Arthur had furniture and other things all arranged in their new western

home.

Events after family settled in Ohio

There seems to be no clear record of what occurred in the life of the

Starks during the first few years following their arrival in Ohio. The

writer was unable to gather much information concerning this particular

period of Stark history. It is assumed that most of the sons and a

daughter, Harriet Martha, were living with the parents in Toledo. One

thing is certain however, the Stark boys were not destined to follow the

example of their father by becoming farmers; for one by one, we are

told, they went to work in the car repair shops of the Lake Shore and

other railroads in Toledo and as, we shall learn later, advanced rapidly

in their work.

Marriages of other Stark children

We have already recorded the marriages of the Starks' three eldest

children Mary Anna, Benjamin, and Elizabeth - which occurred in the

East. The following marriages took place over a number of years after

the Starks moved to the Mid-West: William Stark to Agnes Roetsch;

Harriet Stark to Edwin H. Martin; Frank Stark to Laura Doiph; John Wells

Stark to Sophia Beck; Arthur Stark to Alberta Marsh; Charles Stark to

Grace

Twombly; and James Stark to Clara Crooks. It would be interesting to

-know how these couples first met and where the weddings occurred. In

all

probability some of the couples were members of the same church before

their marriage.

A birthday celebration

One of the few incidents recorded of the Starks while they were living

in Toledo, is a surprise party given on the occasion of Grandfather

Stark's 72nd birthday which occurred in 1886. While he was attending an

official meeting of the board of his church, arrangements were completed

for the celebration of his birthday at his home. When Grandfather Stark

returned home he was affectionately and enthusiastically greeted by his

family and a number of his intimate friends. The pastor of his church,

the Rev. P. P. Pope, presented Grandfather Stark with a gift from his

children and another from his wife. In responding, Grandfather Stark

expressed gratitude to God for his health and long life, and thanked his

family and friends for their expressions of good will and affection. The

bountiful supper and informal singing that followed helped to make the

occasion an outstanding event in the life of the Starks. One wonders if

Grandfather Stark himself contributed to the entertainment of the

evening by playing the flute as he did in his younger days.

The departure of Grandfather Stark

In recording the passing on of our beloved grandfather we shall not

attempt to pay him adequate tribute. Suffice it is to say that he was a

God-fearing man, a faithful and loving husband, and a father who brought

his children up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." And so we

revere his memory.

Grandfather Stark died at his residence, 232 Segur Avenue, Toledo, on

Aug. 2, 1889, in his 75th year. The Toledo Blade devoted a long column

to describe the funeral services of our honored grandparent. The

following is quoted from this newspaper:

"One of the largest funerals that have occurred in this city for a long

time was that of James Stark, Sr. which took place last Sunday, Aug.

4th.

The Broadway M. E. Church, of which Mr. Stark was for 12 years a member,

could not accommodate half the people. Participating in the service in

addition to the pastor were: the Rev. B. K. Ormond of the 3rd

Presbyterian Church, the Rev. P. P. Pope, presiding elder of the M. E.

Church, and the Rev. William Sheridan of the Oliver Street Baptist

Church.

"At the close of his sermon the text of which was taken from Revelation

7th Chapter, verses 13-17, the Rev. L. L. Webster, pastor of the

Broadway Methodist Church, paid a high tribute to the deceased as to his

loyalty to the church, his devotion to the religion of Jesus Christ and

his regularity of attendance at church services as well as prayer and

class meetings.

"After giving a brief review of James Stark's life and career,

Presiding Elder Pope, former pastor of the Broadway Church, remarked

that he could not call to mind a man that had done as much toward

building up the church and God's cause generally as 'Father' Stark had

done. It was gratifying, he said, to know that four of 'Father' Stark's

sons were also members of the Broadway Church. He paid a glowing tribute

to the widowed mother for her piety and love for Christ, and to both

parents for the example they had set to their children. The Rev. William

Sheridan of the Oliver St. Baptist Church stated in his remarks that he

felt that James Stark not only belonged to the Methodist Church but also

had the welfare of the Baptist and Presbyterian churches at heart. The

Rev. Dr. J. Whitlock, pastor of St. Paul's M. E. Church, observed that

James Stark's high moral character was of great value to the entire

community.

"All the speakers talked of 'Father' Stark with such reverence and

feeling that everyone present was deeply moved. The services were

concluded by singing a favorite hymn of the deceased: 'God Be With You

Til We Meet Again.' The floral offerings were numerous and included one

from the flible Class which 'Father' Stark had taught. The unusually

long procession wended its way to Woodlawn Cemetery where the remains of

our beloved citizen now rest."

All present-day Stark relatives will be pleased to learn that there is

a stained glass window in the Broadway M. E. Church in Toledo in memory

of the Stark family a fitting tribute to their loyalty and devotion.

Grandmother Stark lovingly cared for

After Grandfather Stark's death, Grandmother Stark was invited by her

son, Arthur and his wife Alberta, to live with them in Toledo. This she

did for some time, and then was invited by her daughter, Harriet and her

husband Edwin Martin, to live with them in Chicago. Ed Martin at that

time worked in the Pullman Car shops, and also had a small confectionery

store. When their son, Frank Martin, got a job in Toledo through the

influence of his Uncle James Stark, the Martin family, after having

lived in Chicago some 10 or 15 years, decided to move back to Ohio.

The Martins purchased a 20-acre fruit farm outside of Toledo and

arranged to build a house on it. While the house was being built the

Martins and Grandmother Stark lived in Toledo and joined the Clark St.

M.E. Church. Ed Martin worked at the Gendron Bicycle Factory for about a

year. Then the family moved to their new home on the farm which was

located on Linsen Road (now called Schreier Road) about a mile south of

Rossford, a town lying southwest of East Toledo. Grandmother Stark made

her home with the Martins on this farm. The children on the farm were

Frank, Edwin and Grace. The family attended the Methodist Church in

Rossford which they helped to organize. Frank Martin was the first Supt.

of the Sunday School. The Martins lived on their farm for about 26

years.

Our Grandmother's letter writing

In spite of failing eyesight, Grandmother Stark carried on a wide

correspondence with her children and grandchildren. Her letters were not

only interesting to read but were beautifully worded and of a dignified

character. The writer still has in his possession a letter written to

him by Grandmother Stark in 1902. As this is a typical letter, a few

excerpts from it may prove interesting:

"It was with much pleasure I received and perused your very kind and

interesting letter. I think correspondence between relatives is too

frequently neglected.

"I feel sorry for your cousin Eddie. He is a fireman for the CH&D and

has to work every day from 6 AM to 6 PM, and has not had a Sunday off

for the last 3 weeks.

"How we as a family are scattered and how many changes come to us ~-n

~iiC.

"It gratifies me to know that you and your brother and sister, through

school work, are gaining knowledge and delight in its pursuit.

"You children have all grown so fast I might not recognize you now; but

the faces of your dear mother and father are strongly impressed in

memory's casket.

"I cannot express adequately my feeling of thankfulness that so many of

my grandchildren take delight in Sunday School attendance and are

generally active in Christian work.

"Thirty years ago today your Aunt Lina died. Her end was peace. How

many of our loved ones have passed away since then! May we too die the

death of the righteous, and may my own end be like theirs.

"Please excuse imperfect writing as my sight is very poor. Wishing you

every blessing, I remain

Your loving grandmother,

M. H. Stark"

The passing of Grandmother Stark

We come now to the passing on of our dearly loved and revered

grandmother. Of her it might be said that she was a fine example of the

virtuous woman so beautifully described in the 31st Chapter of Proverbs:

"She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of

kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread

of idleness. Her

children rise up and call her blessed."

Grandmother Stark died on the Ed Martin farm outside of Toledo on May

6,1909, lacking just 11 days of being 88 years of age. Her remains are

interred in Woodlawn Cemetery. The Rev. Hilbard J. Jewett, pastor of the

Clark St. Methodist Church in Toledo, which our grandmother attended and

at which her funeral service was held, wrote an obituary of Grandmother

Stark in which he reviewed the main events in her long life and also

paid the following tribute to her Christian character and influence:

"Mr. and Mrs. James Stark Sr. were familiarly known in Toledo for

many years as 'Father and Mother Stark,' and are remembered for their

warm hospitality and works of kindness. They were aggressive Christian

workers and built their lives into the Church in

this city, and their influence was felt throughout the entire

community. Both were inspiring leaders in the activities of the

Methodist ~hur~h~~ whiah they w~r~ rn~~mber£.

"Mrs. Stark was at all times kind and considerate. Her piety was of

the pioneer type of early Methodism - fervid, devout and Scriptural. She

loved to quote passages from the Bible which she had learned in

childhood. During the years that she could not read because of the loss

of her eyesight, the treasury of Bible verses, stored up in her memory,

flooded her soul with a holy light which gave her peace and comfort. To

hear her tell of her fellowship with our Heavenly Father was an

inspiration. To see her in her affliction was to know her as the

recipient of divine grace. To enter into the secret of her religious

experience was to discover the power of prayer.

"Mother Stark regarded her faith as an heritage from her godly

father, the Rev. John Wells, who always prayed that God would bless his

children 'unto the third and fourth generation.' It was the supreme joy

of her declining years that all her children and her children's children

were professing Christians. As she lived, so she died, in the full

triumph of the faith. Her life will ever be a silent but lasting

memorial that Jesus Christ was her Lord and Savior. To God's will was

she ever submi~ive; to his service ever faithful; and henceforth there

is laid up for her in Heaven a crown of life."

Influence of our grandparents

As might be expectcd, with such a worthy example set for them by their

parents, the Stark children all turned out to be men and women of deep

religious faith and sturdy Christian character. All were happily married

and brought up their children in the Christian faith. How grateful we

should be for our Christian ancestry!

The careers of the seven Stark sons

It should be a source of pride on the part of their descendants to know

that the 7 Stark sons all "made good" in life. Although handicapped by a

limited school education, the Stark boys, by applying themselves

diligently to whatever job they undertook, and by manifesting an

enthusiastic desire and determination to get ahead in their work, all

attained positions of responsibility. On reflection, what if the Starks

had stayed in England? The chances are that the sons traditionally would

have become small farmers. But, because their parents had the courage to

pull up stakes and strike out for the new world, the Stark sons were

given the chance to forge ahead in life, and their successful careers

exemplify the great fact that America has been indeed a land of

opportunity to millions who have come to our shores.

Although in some cases the information obtainable was, unfortunately,

quite limited, we have made an effort to sketch the working careers of

the 7 Stark sons beginning with the eldest. And so, at this point in our

history, we present the career story of each of these sons.

Benjamin Stark

Ben Stark was the first of the Stark brothers to go West from New York

state. He first lived in Adrian, Michigan, where presumably he did

railroad car repair work. In 1874 he moved to Toledo, where he became

assistant foreman of car repairs for the Lake Shore and Michigan

Southern Railroad. He remained in the employ of this railroad for about

eight years during

which time he was held in high esteem by both workmen and officers of

the company. He died at his home, No.3 Sumner St., Toledo, Ohio, on Oct.

22,1882, a victim of typhoid fever.

When one considers that Ben Stark was only 37 years of age at the time

of his death, it is truly remarkable that he had already become, not

only an outstanding member of his church, but a highly respected and

well-known citizen in the community in which he lived. Seldom is so much

tribute paid to a man so young as was expressed at the time of Ben

Stark's passing. When his funeral service was hdd in the Broadway M.E.

Church the auditorium was crowded to the doors with friends from all

walks of life, some of whom had come from Adrian, Michigan, to pay their

respects.

Among the many floral offerings was one from the Boys' Bible Class

which Ben Stark had taught. Five ministers participated in the service.

The funeral procession was nearly a mile long.

In addition to the funeral service a special memorial service was held

the next Sunday evening in the Broadway M.E. Church. The attendance was

so large that chairs had to be placed in the aisles. Members of the 3rd

Presbyterian Church attended in a body. Among those participating in the

service were the Rev. Wiltse of the Broadway M.E. Church, the Rev.

Torrence of the 3rd Presbyterian Church, and Secretary F. S. Goodman of

the YMCA.

Ben Stark served his church in many capacities, being a trustee at the

time of his death. He was also very active in the work of the Railroad

YMCA, never failing to call on sick or injured railroad men. An

interesting fact about Ben Stark is that his own brothers regarded him

as a wise counsellor, always consulting him before making an important

decision. Ifis parents also highly valued his advice.

Unfortunately the details concerning the funerals of the six other

Stark brothers are not known to the writer of this Stark history. He is

inclined to believe however, that the fine tribute of love and respect

paid to Ben Stark at his passing is typical of that which must have been

accorded the others when they laid down their life's work; for all were

outstanding Christian men.

William Stark

William Stark began his career as a railroad car repairman. Later he

became a car inspector for the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway. Eventually

he was made Master Car Builder for this same railroad, and held this

position until the company went out of existence. Possessed of an

inventive type of mind, during his career he worked on several

inventions pertaining to railroad equipment.

After leaving railroad work, he and his family moved to California,

where he operated a very successful alfalfa ranch in the San Fernando

Valley near Burbank. The family first lived in Los Angeles, but later in

the interest of his son Willard's health, William Stark moved his family

to Arcadia, California, where for a time he was engaged in the building

business. He was a member of the Eagle Rock Presbyterian Church and

always took a keen interest in community affairs. He passed away in Los

Angeles on June 1,1935 at 87 years of age.

John Stark

John Stark was at first a railroad car repairman. Evidently he advanced

rapidly in his work; for, we are told, that he obtained a patent on a

railroad car brake and later was elected into the membership of the

Master Car Builders Association. He then became yardmaster for the Lake

Shore and Michigan Southern Railway.

It is believed that he returned to work too soon after having had

influenza; for he contracted a severe cold which settled in his lungs.

It was thought that the warm dry climate of California might aid in his

recovery. So in 1895 he and his family moved to Ilappy Valley which is

now a part of the city of Los Angeles. However his condition did not

improve, and he passed away on Feb. 4,1896 when only 39 years of age.

With the assistance of his brother, Frank Stark, John Stark's family

came back to Toledo where his funeral service was held on Feb. 14th.

Mrs. Stark with her children lived in Toledo several years but

eventually moved back to California.

Like several of his brothers, John Stark was an active member of the

Methodist Church, at one time serving on the Official Board. Because of

his warm, friendly personality, John Wells Stark was dearly loved by all

who knew him.

Arthur Stark

Following the example set by his older brothers, Arthur Stark was also

engaged in railroad work. For a long time he was in charge of a P. & E.

Railroad wrecking crew at Air Line Junction in Ohio. He was greatly

admired by those who worked under him because of the fine treatment they

received at his hands. So careful and efficient was he in carrying on

his work that not one of his men ever had an accident. He was also

highly regarded by the railroad officials.

Arthur Stark was a member of the official board of the Western Ave.

M.E. Church in Toledo and was among those who helped to build the

edifice of this church. He was interested in influencing young men in

the Christian life. His main characteristic was his calm and unruffled

disposition which made his personality attractive to others. He passed

away April 14, 1898 at the early age of 37.

Frank Stark

Frank Stark began his railroad career in 1877 doing car repair work in

the shops of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad in Toledo. He

was soon appointed to a higher position with the CH&D Railrcad. In 1884

the Consolidated Rolling Stock Co. of Bridgeport, Conn., erected shops

in East Toledo and Frank Stark became one of this company's foremen.

Later he was promoted to the position of General Foreman. In 1889 his

jurisdiction was extended when he became superintendent of the company's

shops in both Toledo and Detroit.

In 1891 Frank Stark accepted a position as foreman of car repairs for

the Wheeling & Lake Erie R.R., and on Jan. 1, 1892 he was promoted to

Master Car Builder of that railroad. In 1893 he became Master Car

Builder of the Cleveland, Loraine & Wheeling R.R., the repair shops of

which were located at Elyria, Ohio. When the Baltimore & Ohio R.R.

bought the C.L. & W. R.R., Frank Stark was transferred on Feb. 1,1902 to

a responsible position in Baltimore where he worked for about one year.

He then went to Coraopolis, Pa., where he became superintendent of

Rolling Stock for two coal-carrying roads owned by the Pittsburgh Coal

Company.

Having to work on his father's farm about six or seven months of every

year in his youth, Frank Stark, like most of his brothers, was not able

to acquire much formal education, probably a total of three or four

years. Yet, with much reading and studying by himself, and by making

good contacts in church and elsewhere, he educated himself to a

remarkable degree and acquired an excellent speaking vocabulary. He

possessed a

natural bass-baritone singing voice of a most pleasing quality and loved

to sing sacred music especially the old-time Gospel hymns. He took a

special delight in visiting his relatives and helping them in every way

he could.

All of his life Frank Stark was an active member of the Methodist

Church which he served in various capacities. In his church at Elyria,

Ohio and at Coraopolis, Pa. he was a member of the Official Board. He

always sang in the choir of the churches with which he was connected.

Frank Stark's activities were by no means confined to his church. He

was a member of the Board of Directors of the Coraopolis YMCA from its

beginning and was greatly instrumental in raising funds -to finance the

Association. He was a board member and vice-president of a bank in

Coraopolis, and took a personal interest in encouraging people to

finance their own homes. Frank Stark was a member of the order of Free

Masonry, served on the Coraopolis Board of Education, and was a member

of the local Kiwanis Club. He was a member of several railroad clubs

during his career, having been at one time, president of the Pittsburgh

Railway Club. He was 73 years of age when he passed away on June 20,

1935 at the home of his son, Dr. James Dolph Stark, in Erie, Pa. His

remains were taken back to his beloved Coraopolis and now rest in the

Coraopolis Cemetery.

Charles Stark

Leaving Toledo at an early age Charles Stark went to live with his

sister, Harriet, and her husband, Edwin Martin, in Chicago. At first, he

did odd jobs near the home of the Martins, and then served his

apprenticeship in carpentry with his brother, William Stark, and his

brother-in-law, Ed Martin, who worked in the Pullman Car Shops. At the

time he married in 1891, he was a carpenter in the Rock Island R.R.

shops in Chicago. Later he became a locomotive fireman on the Rock

Island R.R., but due to color blindness, he quit road work, perhaps as

an engineer, and went back to shop work repairing and building railroad

cars. On returning to Toledo, he worked for a time as a repairman under

one of his older brothers.

Charles Stark, like his brothers, displayed initiative and

resourcefulness, and gave unstinted devotion to whatever work he was

engaged in. As a result he now began to advance rapidly in his career

holding many responsible positions, mostly with railroad companies. In

McKees Rock, Pa., he was an inspector for the Pittsburgh Testing

Laboratory, and later was sent by the laboratory to do special work with

the Pullman Car Company in Chicago. For several years he was Supt. of

Motive Power of the Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati & St. Louis R.R. with

headquarters at Cincinnati. For a short time he served as Supt. of

Motive Power and Rolling Stock of the Chicago, Hamilton and Dayton R.R.

with offices at Hamilton, Ohio. Later he accepted a position as Master

Car Builder of the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh R.R. at Salamanca,

N.Y. His last employment was with the Hocking Valley R.R. at Columbus,

Ohio in the capacity of Master Car Builder and General Foreman of Shops.

Charles Stark's career was cut short by his untimely death, July 10,

1912, at 46 years of age. He was a typical Stark in that he took a great

interest in the various activities of his Church. Originally he was a

member of the Methodist Church but later joined the Congregational

Church. At Salamanca he was an officer of the Congregational Church and

of its Sunday School. At the time he passed away he was a member of the

Congregational Church in Columbus, Ohio.

He was always interested in the work of the YMCA. He served on the

Board of Directors of the Railroad YMCA's of the Buffalo, Rochester &

Pittsburgh Railroad; was also president of the Railroad YMCA at East

Salamanca. He belonged to numerous civic and charitable organizations,

but enjoyed most of all working among young people.

James Stark

James Stark at first worked as car repair foreman for the Toledo & Ohio

Central Railroad. His next position was as foreman of the Hocking Valley

Railroad shops. Later he became superintendent of the Chicago, Hamilton

and Dayton Railroad docks in Toledo. He entered politics and was a

member of the Common Council of the city of Toledo from 1897 to April

1901, representing the 6th Ward. In the period 1899-1900 he served as

Vice-President of the Board of Councilmen and in 1900-1901 was President

of the Board. While never elected to the office of Mayor, he served

occasionally as Acting Mayor of his city.

In 1914 James Stark became the general representative of the

Chicago-Cleveland Car Roofing Co. and lived in Chicago for a number of

years. His later years were spent in the east, first in New York City

and then for 20 years in Roanoke, Virginia. James Stark had an

attractive personality and made friends easily. He was a member of the

Methodist Church. He passed away in Roanoke on April 7, 1953 at the age

of 84. His remains are interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo.

The ten Stark families and their descendants

The writing of this story of the Starks, here so feebly attempted,

really should have been started years ago by someone who lived closer to

the events which occurred as the Stark families began to grow and spread

out into various parts of the country. However, we have succeeded in

gathering the names of all the descendants to date comprising the

"family tree" of each of the ten Stark sons and daughters. In presenting

the following genealogical charts, it should be explained that where

only one date appears after a name it indicates the date of that

person's birth. If two dates with a hyphen between follow a name, the

first is the date of birth and the second the date of the person's

death. In some instances marriage dates are also shown.